The Adelaide Pop Culture Festival 2009

Since 2004 - Starship Mawson Club President Mr Stuart Blair has been the Event Organiser of Sci Fi Events at The South Australian Museum as part of National Science Week. In 2006 along with dedicated members of Starship Mawson, Stuart elevated the status of Sci Fi and Pop Culture in Adelaide as an educational bridge for the youth and the enquiring minds of our community. The Adelaide Pop Culture Festival is now seen as a valued member of exhibitors that make up National Science Week as seen this year with over 28,000 visitors attending the many Science Week workshops and exhibitions in Adelaide.

The South Australian Museum, located in the heart of the City of Adelaide was the venue for The Adelaide Pop Culture Festival, a National Science Week Event which was conducted from August 15 to 22 - 2009.

Activities included, The Ultimate Quiz Night, Interactive Workshops for children and adults on Special Effects Prosthetics and Makeup construction and Costume design techniques, Exhibitions of Pop Culture memorabilia and Costumes and a Stargazing Evening with a Special Guest presenter. .

Upon entering the museum, visitors were treated by the many colourful displays of costumes from some of their favourite TV shows and Films as well as being able to view rare pieces of memorabilia from years gone by. Members from Adelaide Sci Fi Club - Starship Mawson, volunteered their time over the week to assist in the setting up of the exhibition as well as answer questions from the curious visiting public.

There were many exhibits inside the pavilion and most had a 'hands on' component encouraging children and adults to conduct various experiments and have alot of fun.

Day one of the festival included The Ultimate Quiznight, that took place on Saturday evening at The Police Club of Adelaide and proved to be a real highlight! A complete sellout ensured a fantastic atmosphere with great anticipation of just what types of questions were going to be posed.

There were many exhibits inside the pavilion and most had a 'hands on' component encouraging children and adults to conduct various experiments and have alot of fun.

Stuart Blair welcoming people to the Ultimate Quiz Night.

A full house and a fantastic atmosphere.

Quiz Masters during the sing-a-long quiz. Left to right.. Eugenia, Marlene and Gerri

Our Quiz Masters having fun.

Everyone's a winner at the Ultamate Quiz Night and here are some of the winning tables.

Key members of Starship Mawson, Eugenia, Therese, Gerri and Marlene, were the official Quiz Masters and were given great praise for their skills in what was a highly polished and most enjoyable evening for all.

The Police Club management, Heather and Greg, provided an excellent service of quality food and beverage and a venue that is perfect for a large social event.

There were large attendances for both days workshops in Special Effects Prosthetics construction and Costume Design and Makeup with some classes being standing room only! Here is Lynne Cook from The Australian Costumers' Guild demonstrating makeup technique to the audience.

Wednesday August 19 brought many budding Astronomers to an evening of Stargazing with Starship Mawson and proved to be a fun and educational evening presented by Peter Lindner. Peter passed on his enthusiasm and knowledge of our universe to the many adults and children that viewed the stars through the telescopes that were set up by Peter and Starship Mawson member, Mr Adrian Grivell.

Guest presenter - Peter Lindner lining up the planets for everyone to view

Starship Mawson member - Adrian Grivell setting up for his viewers

Sharon Morris with Adrian Grivell in background with keen onlookers curious to see what's in the sky above.

Special thanks to Peter Lindner for his informative presentation.

For the duration of National Science Week A drive in movie size screen was erected out front of the SA Museum and from dusk till dawn ran a continuous slide show presentation promoting our great club.

Thanks to our Convention Photographer - Mr Des Farkas from SA Photography for all the quality images with this report.

Contact SA Photography for your special event on.. 08 8431 6069 or Mob: 0402 488 034

Starship Mawson at Science Alive August 8-9, 2009

Annually conducted at The Wayville Showgrounds in Adelaide, Science Alive showcases all sciences to the general public as a taste of what will be on during National Science Week.

Starship Mawson members Rob Tavino, Maryanne Scutella and Stuart Blair were on hand to inform visitors of what will be on offer for them at the Starship Mawson Sci Fi exhibition and Adelaide Pop Culture Festival as part of the upcoming National Science Week on August 15-23.

Club Captain - Stuart Blair answering questions from the visiting public.

Club members, Maryanne Scutella and Robert Tavino interacting with enthusiastic visitors.

There were many exhibits inside the pavilion and most had a 'hands on' component encouraging children and adults to conduct various experiments and have alot of fun.

Over 10 000 people attended Science Alive giving Starship Mawson great exposure and enhancing our reputation for enthusiasm, education and being one of Adelaide's leading community organisations.

Thanks to Rob and Maryanne for donating their time.

Visit our Captain's Ready Room for further information about Science Week 2009.

We Came Third!

Starship Mawson continues its run of success at Adelaide Quiz Nights!

Saturday July 4 at the North Adelaide Community Centre, club members disguised as their alter egos (secret identities) attended the Australian Costumers Guild Quiz Night.

A large attendance ensured a fantastic atmosphere and plenty of fun attempting to answer the questions posed by Severus Snape and guest Quiz Mistress, Dolores Umbridge. This was a costumed event with many attendees dressed in elaborate and attractive outfits which enhanced the ambiance of the event!

During the evening after a bit of a cold start The Starship Mawson table hit warp speed and started to make their way up the ladder to finally finish in a credible third and collecting some great goodies in prizes supplied by The Guild.

It was a fantastic well organised evening.

Want to be part of the fun? Just check our event information for what's on. You're most welcome to join in

Starship Mawson at Natcon 2009
Australian Speculative Sci Fi Convention

It had been 25 years since Natcon had been conducted in Adelaide, a very long time between drinks indeed.

Adelaide Sci Fi fans turned out for the event along with a large attendance of interstate and overseas guests which made for a very busy four days of events. These included guest panels from Sci Fi and Fantasy Authors, Quiz Nights, Convention Ball, trading dealers and fan club expo. These gave attendees plenty to see and do.

Starship Mawson members from left to right, Rob Tavino, Stuart Blair(Club President), Gerri Donaldson and Eugenia Stopyra.

Club member Eugenia Stopyra gave a presentation at Natcon about 'Science Fiction becomes Science Fact' which was well received with great interest and gave the club good exposure amongst the convention attendance.

Natcon is truly a very interesting event to attend and with The World Sci Fi Convention being held in Melbourne 2010, why not make the journey and take in some of the fun!

Natcon was filled with fantastic displays.

Star Trek Movie Premiere at the Palace Nova

After months of hype, the much anticipated and regenerated realease of Star Trek opened in cinemas around Australia. Starship Mawson members had the chance to attend a carnival style premiere and Club President Stuart Blair along with key Bridge members Eugenia Stopyra, Marlene Weidemen, Gerri Donaldson, Therese Watts along with support from Adrian Grivell and Robert Tavino, organised memorabilia and displays.

The costumes were provided by the Australian Costumers' Guild and along with trading collectible dealer CERNAT Enterprises and Booksellers Dymocks the theatre goers were given a total Star Trek experience before and after viewing the film.

Special guest in attendance was fantasy author Adrian Rogers who signed copies of his latest trilogy Hidden Kingdom. We thank the South Australian Writer's Centre for making it possible for Adrian to attend.

A costume contest was conducted prior to the first screening of the movie. The audience showed their collective vote by cheering. Local favourite Klingon Mandy Kinlough was the winner and received signed copies of Hidden Kingdom signed by Adrian Rogers as well as theatre passes kindly donated by The Palace East End Cinema.

 
The evening was a huge success and it was great to see a large attendance of Starship Mawson members and friends, some 65 in total.

 
Thanks to all members that attended and to all that kindly donated their time to help out and advertise the event. This is our second joint venture with The Palace East End Cinema with more to follow to be sure!






The nice clear well shot photos courtesy of Des Farkas at SA Photography and the dark not so clear photos by Starship Mawson Member Eugenia.

Click here to see more photos from this fantastic event.

Starship Mawson Presentation at Tea Tree Gully Library

On Wednesday April 29, Starship Mawson presented a talk to the people of the City of Tea Tree Gully in Adelaide - South Australia at the Tea Tree Gully Library and Civic Centre.
Club President and event organiser for Starship Mawson - Stuart Blair opened the evening with a talk about the cultural influence Star Trek has had on modern technology and lifestyle and the affect this cultural icon has had on modern society.

Talking to a large and enthusiastic audience, Stuart introduced club members, Gerri and Marlene as they presented a slide show with commentary from their recent media involvement at the world premiere of the Star Trek film that was held at The Sydney Opera House on April 7 2009.

 
The audience were keen to hear about the film and the premiere with many questions being posed.

 
The final part of the evening's entertainment was given by club member, Eugenia Stopyra who took us all on a sci fi journey through the ages and focused on modern day inventions that had been created by sci fi writers and film makers.

 
The evening was well received by the local community with praise coming from the City of Tea Tree Gully Library.

Away Mission - Adelaide Military Museum

Club members enjoyed a fully escourted guided tour by Trevor from the National Military Vehicle Museum located in the City of Endinburgh, south of Adelaide South Australia.

With so many vehicles on display, you can spend hours looking through yesteryear and learning about our proud history as a nation. Here is our club president Stuart in front of a vehicle being restored and known as a Stuart Tank!

 
The Museum also featured authentic military costumes from World War 1 and 2 as well as the Korean conflict, Vietnam War and the current conflicts that Australian soldiers are involved in. Model kits and dioramas depicting battlefield situations and rare war memorablia is spread throughout the museum.

 
The day was a huge success and enjoyed by everyone and we would like to thank the museum for their detailed tour and recommend a trip to view what's on exhibition.

 
Following the tour, club members enjoyed a great meal at a local eatery with plenty of good conversation and laughs.